suitability of LM833 for GC buffer/preamp

[mAJORD]

Hi peeps, as topic suggests, I was wondering if the LM833 would be suitable for making a simple but low THD buffer/preamp for my gainclone.. i find driving it directly from a Line level source (CD player etc) to be inadequte, especially with a gain of 20.

my concern is I have only seen these opamps (833) used as preamps for phono, or other very low level sources.. im a bit shaky on opamps tho, and fail to see in the datasheet what would limit its use to phonos etc. , But if there is something im missing, i dont want to waste any more time with the idea



cheers.

[tlmadsen]

You will be fine with your LM833. Just go ahead.

Thomas

[mAJORD]

Thanks , now the tricky bit

[ashok]

Use an 8 pin DIP socket so that you can use other chips when you get them.
Preferably use machined sockets where the pins are round . These grip the chip pins far better than the cheaper standard DIP sockets.

[ashok]

The two sockets on the left are machined and the two on the right are the standard type.

[mAJORD]

cheers asshok, hadnt thought of that, would certainly make it easier to experiment with different ICs

yea im a bit of a fan of the machines holes for quality, .. except when your trying to get an IC in , with slightly bent legs.. in a hurry, under pressure, 'on site' , oh those were the days

[Nuuk]

Just watch out how you handle the machined sockets as they seem to be more fragile than the other sort.

[ashok]

Hi Nuuk,
Actually the machined sockets are very 'solid' . You cannot damage them easily. Even the pins are quite strong.

Actually I think the standard 'slip in type' dip sockets must be banned from DIY. They can give rise to lots of problems due to poor contact eventually.
Over here the machined sockets are quite cheap. The brand I find most often is Champion.

mAJORD,
I think I don't need to say this because you seem to have lots of field experience - in any case don't mix up dual opamp and single opamp chips. It sounds silly but I have done just that even after knowing all about that. Ocassionally the mind blanks out for just a few crucial moments !

Cheers.
Ashok.

[sunil]

Hi mAJORD,

What schematic are you planning to use for the pre ?

cheers,
sunil

[Nuuk]

Hi Nuuk,
Actually the machined sockets are very 'solid' . You cannot damage them easily. Even the pins are quite strong.

I must have bought a bad brand then. Last time I ordered five of them, three had bent pins when they arrived and even the gentlest attempt to straighten the pins caused them to break off.

The contact made with the opamp is clearly superior but I used the other sort of socket for years with no problems at all.